Community News
School board approves GMS A/C project, signs off on annual financial report
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night approved a $1.8 million project to replace the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system at Gillespie Middle School, contingent upon the State Board of Education releasing funds to pay for the project, and voted to accept the district’s annual financial report.
In other action, the board voted to waive a state-imposed administrative cost cap for fiscal 2023. That action was preceded by a brief mandated public hearing during which no members of the public appeared to comment or ask questions. State law limits increases in administrative expenditures to no more than five percent of the previous year’s expenditures. The fiscal 2023 budget projects an increase in administrative expenses of about 17 percent.
Supt. Shane Owsley said the administrative line item of the budget includes not only administrative salaries but also office expenses, clerical staff and other items. Administrative salary increases this year were limited to three percent.
AIR CONDITIONING PROJECT
After an extensive discussion, the board voted unanimously to authorize a $1.8 million project to replace the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system serving Gillespie Middle School classrooms. The project excludes the recently built STEM lab because the HVAC system for that room was upgraded at the time of construction.
In a departure from the standard bidding process, the board opted to use OMNIA Partners, a public sector purchasing cooperative based in Tennessee, to seek a project proposal. Contracting for capital improvements through OMNIA is legally similar to local entities using state-bid contracts to purchase vehicles or other commodities.
“OMNIA satisfies all legal requirements for bidding,” Jeff Escott said, account executive for Thermal Mechanics Inc. (TMI), Chesterfield, Mo. Escott said OMNIA projects tend to come in at a price that is 17 percent to 29 percent lower than national averages.
The project approved Monday night calls for replacing existing rooftop units with a variant refrigerant flow system manufactured by Daikin. The system will use computerized controls. Each classroom will have its own thermostats or the system can be controlled remotely when the building is not in use. Additionally, the project includes provisions for a ventilating system that can exchange the air in each classroom once every hour, a ducted heating system, new ceilings and new lighting.
TMI Engineer Chris Swallow said the variant refrigerant system “is a really efficient system, so it should really reduce energy costs. The system and controls for the system will be so individualized that it would be possible for a room to be air-conditioned while the room next door is using the heating system. He recommended using controls that establish parameters for room temperatures to keep temperatures within a specified range from room to room.
“If the last two years taught us anything, it’s that outside air is a good thing,” Swallow said, touting the air exchange aspect of the project. New LED lighting and new ceilings, he said, will result in a building “that has a whole new feeling to it when you walk in.”
“This is the system I’d want if I was sending my kid to a school,” Swallow said.
Under the OMNIA concept, the vendor is allowed to assemble its own team of contractors for installation, supplying controls and other aspects of the project.
“One of the neat things about the OMNIA process is we can pull our own team together,” Swallow said.
“What we pledged to the district was that we would look at all possible options regardless of money,” Escott said. To that end, he said the company did not ask the school to provide an expected budget for the project before they began working on it. Swallow said he developed about a half-dozen proposals with various price tags. The administration and TMI settled on the option approved Monday night in consultation with Brian Paige, district building manager.
“This process was very different from anything I’ve been involved with before,” Owsley said, reiterating the company’s insistence on letting them develop the project without knowing the district’s budget for the project. “I really think the new lighting, new ceilings and air exchange is really going to change things in that building.”
The action is contingent upon the State Board of Education approving an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund refund. One reason for that contingency is that district originally had expected a $3 to $4 million project. Owsley said Monday night that he will submit a new application with a revised request reflecting the lower cost.
“Part of my job is to take your resources and try to expand that as much as I can,” Escott said, noting the company will take advantage of Ameren incentives for efficiency and lighting upgrades.
Once installed, Escott said the company will provide a five-year warranty as well as five years of product support, including filter changes and routine maintenance.
Responding to a question from board member Amanda Ross, Escott said the company would be ready to start work at the end of the current school year. He suggested there is enough time before the start of the project to compensate for any supply chain issues. E.L. Pruitt, a subcontractor, will prefabricate ductwork so it will be ready to install at the end of the school year.
Before the issue came to a vote, Owsley noted that he received an email from the school’s architectural firm asking the board to delay the vote until they had a chance to review the project. Board President Mark Hayes, however, dismissed the request as an effort to charge the district a professional fee.
“They wanted to know what we had to spend,” Hayes recalled. “You didn’t want to know the budget and that impressed me. I think this is a good proposal.”
The project was approved, contingent upon the release of ESSER funds, on a motion by Jack Burns, seconded by Ross. Board members Becky Hatlee and Bill Carter were absent.
FINANCIAL REPORT
On a motion by Burns, seconded by Ross, the board voted unanimously to accept the annual financial report prepared by Loy, Miller, Talley PC, Alton. Ken Loy, CPA, presented the audit, affirming the district had a good year financially resulting in an upgrade in the school’s State Board of Education financial profile.
“Overall, the district had a good year financially,” Loy said. Three opinion letters required by the state board were all positive regarding accounting procedures, internal controls and handling of federal funds. “It’s what we call a clean material report.”
The financial profile, based on a set of five criteria, went up from 3.35 out of 4 points the previous year to 3.7 for the most recent fiscal year. That score boosted the district from “Financial Review” to “Recognition,” the highest rating available.
“This is something the State Board of Education watches very closely,” Loy commented.
In all but one of the district’s funds, revenue exceeded expenditures for the fiscal year. Loy noted a $180,000 “planned” deficit in the Capital Projects fund related to the construction of the GMS STEM lab. The Education Fund ended the fiscal year with a budgetary surplus of more than $1.6 million, Loy said, primarily because of an injection of COVID relief money.
“You probably won’t see that next year,” Loy said, noting the $1.6 million is expected to be spent this year. In total, the district ended the year with a $2 million surplus, including $1.6 million in Education.
According to an audit summary distributed by Loy, the district has a combined fund balance in Education, Operations and Maintenance, and Transportation of nearly $7 million—enough to operate for nearly six months.
The audit also includes data for the last three years of property tax collections. Loy said the district’s property tax rate has declined slowly in recent years because of increases in the district’s total equalized assessed valuation. The EAV, he said, has increased six to seven percent per year but because of tax caps, the district can increase its levy by only two to three percent, depending upon the current rate of inflation.
“That makes your tax rate go down,” Loy said.
For 2020, the most recent year for which data is available, the district’s tax rate was 3.8 which resulted in a tax extension of $3,142,011. A total of $3,129,179 was collected—about 99.6 percent of the levy.
“You never collect 100 percent,” Loy said. “It’s always about 99 percent or a little more.”
The audit shows an average daily attendance of 994 students, compared with 1,028 the previous year. Estimated per capita tuition costs—total expenditures divided by the number of students—stood at $9,452, compared with $8,906 the previous year.
“That’s not a big increase,” Loy said. “We had a lot of districts with bigger increases.”
MINE SUBSIDENCE INSURANCE
After some discussion, the board voted to renew its mine subsidence policy despite a dramatic increase in the annual premium. The premium increased from $86,000 to $101,090 for the first $10 million of coverage, from $30,000 to $36,426 for the next $5 million of coverage, and $25,000 to $31,223 for another $5 million of coverage.
“There are very few companies that offer mine subsidence,” Owsley told the board. “We know the importance of having this. My question to the board is: do we want to continue having this amount of coverage? You can drop $5 million in coverage and pay basically what we paid last year.”
The policy covers the high school, vocational building and gymnasium, which are valued at about $28 million. Owsley pointed out that insurance professionals say a 100 percent loss is rare, but the district’s experience with the Benld Elementary School several years ago demonstrated that a total loss is not out of the question.
Ultimately the board voted unanimously to keep coverage at $20 million at a cost of $169,623.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a “District Focus” segment, GMS Principal Patrick McGinthy reviewed programs aimed at improving language arts and reading skills, and Supt. Owsley recognized all three building principals in connection with National Principals Week, observed during the third week of October.
At the sixth-grade level, language arts teacher Kim Henderson used “Book Bingo” to encourage students to read books for pleasure. Seven out of her 70 students managed to have at least one “bingo” on their cards. At the end of the first quarter, students had read an average of 3.866 books per student.
Seventh-grade teacher Stephanie Wilson issued a “Beat the Teacher” challenge, challenging students to read more books than she did during the quarter. Four students successfully “beat the teacher,” according to McGinthy.
A school-wide program encouraged students to post pictures of themselves reading for pleasure at home. Those who posted images were given a $5 gift certificate to use at the school’s book fair.
Additionally, Wilson was the recipient of a $660 grant from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, which she used to buy two new Rebecca Caudill book series for students to use.
Owsley took principals by surprise when he ushered in family members he invited to the meeting in honor of National Principals Week. Out-of-state family members who could not attend in person participated via a teleconference.
“Families, thank you for sharing them with us,” Owsley said. “Without them, our school could not run as smoothly. We probably steal them away from you more than we should.”
Owsley praised all three principals and their work under sometimes challenging circumstances. McGinthy, he noted, had only 16 hours to prepare for assuming duties as GMS Principal after he was hired.
“We’ve seen each other in tears,” he said of the administrative staff. “I think we’ve seen the best and worst of each other over the year.”
Board President Hayes added his thanks and dismissed the principals to spend time with their family members, a departure from standard practice requiring principals to attend the entirety of school board meetings.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Placed on first reading an intergovernmental agreement that would provide dual credit for Gillespie students attending classes through Lincoln Land Community College’s Area Careers Center in Litchfield. The Gillespie district technically is in the Lewis and Clark Community College district and Owsley said he is working out details for a dual credit arrangement with Lincoln Land.
- Voted to hire Phil McCourt as a district custodian, pending a routine background check.
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FELONIES
Justine D. Pocklington, 27 of Standard City, possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams), aggravated feeling police/21 mph over, no valid registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a February 2 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Katlyn N. Pilger, 21 of Benld, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (<$500) in connection with a March 28 incident.
Donald L. Lloyd, 46 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with an April 5 incident.
TRAFFIC
Tarina S. Slaughter, 47 of Girard, is charged with improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an April 4 incident.
William C. Geiser, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with reckless driving in connection with an April 6 incident.
Lauren E. Wolfe, 21 of Granite City, is charged with improper use of registration/title and expiration of registration in connection with an April 3 incident.
Jim T. Wahl, 53 of Cottage Hills, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an April 8 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Nora Washington versus Joseph D. Washington
- Samantha Lehnen versus Chad Wallace
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Colton D. West of Hettick and Alina M. Carver of Scottville.
- Devin J. Martin and Mariah P. Crane, both of Bunker Hill.
- Jonathon E. Swisher of Shipman and Mackenzie P. Calvin of Saint Charles, MO.
- Lucas Boschelli and Danielle J. Boatman, both of Carlinville.
- Todd R. Leverton and Jennifer L. Bowman, both of Carlinville.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Oak Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Park Avenue in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
Jonathan M. Kirkwood, 29 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for traffic.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Adams Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was out with a female at Trolley Street and Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Camden G. Zumwalt, 18 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
Cory D. Norton, 33 of Columbus, NC, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while driver’s license was suspended. He also has a warrant out of Montgomery County for failure to appear while driver’s license was suspended.
An officer was dispatched to the intersection of Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was out with a male at Staunton Road and Charles Street in reference to a traffic crash. Tanner E. Moore, 28 of Gillespie, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage, using an electronic communication device, and failure to change address.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Frey Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Staunton Road in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Maple Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Richards Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was out in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld. Amanda L. Broderick, 37 of Benld, was issued citations for unlawful possession of traffic signs and obstruction. Luther C. Welch, 31 of Shipman, was issued a citation for obstruction.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to a death investigation.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to illegal dumping and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft in the 1200 block of Second Street.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street. Andrea M. Hulsey, 30 of Mt. Clare, was issued a citation for her minor child not wearing a seatbelt.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to Kentucky Street and Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street to assist the Macoupin County Sheriff Department in serving an eviction notice.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Dorsey Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Donaldson Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Trinity A. Pruitt, 22 of Benld, was issued citations for speeding and for illegal transportation of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a civil issue.
The school resource officer brought a child to the Gillespie Police Department in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of West Spruce Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Clay Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to suspicious activity.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
An officer was dispatched near the water plant in reference to juveniles fighting.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Second Street in Benld in reference to assisting the Litchfield Police Department with a case.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Henry Street in East Gillespie. Leonard J. Schwartz, 55 of Edwardsville, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Scott A. Byrd, 49 of Wilsonville, was issued a citation for expired registration.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
Larry E. Conlee, 42 of Mt. Clare, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for dangerous drugs. He was also arrested for resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint on Bishop Drive at Gillespie Lake.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Walnut Street in reference to solicitation.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
“History Belongs to All of Us”: Focus of Carlinville Community Conversation Series starting May 4
“History Belongs to All of Us,” a three-month series of events and activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence and emphasizing Illinois’ role in seizing liberty for the American people will kick off Monday, May 4, and continue through July 16, 2026.
The series is project of Carlinville Winning Communities funded by a grant from Illinois Humanities. The events will encourage participants to examine and discuss the Declaration of Independence and other primary historical documents through facilitated conversations, according to Mary Tinder, a Macoupin County Historical Society & Carlinville Winning Communities board member.
Carlinville Winning Communities was one of only 13 entities statewide to receive an Illinois Humanities grant to support the Community Conversations Series.
We are fortunate to have received Illinois Humanities funding for this unique project, With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 100th anniversary of Route 66, it is altogether fitting to explore where we’ve been and where we’re going, as well as to reflect on both and the cultural impact of our independence, Tinder said.
In keeping with the “History Belongs to All of Us” theme, several of the presentations and discussions will emphasize the role of Native Americans and the impact of American independence on Native American and other cultures.
Program topics will be explored through presentations by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars, live readings of historic documents, art, music and discussions. The programs are free to attend and all venues are handicapped accessible.
The series kicks off with “Illinois in the Revolutionary War,” a presentation by local historian and author Tom Emery, at 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at the Macoupin County Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building, 920 W. Breckenridge St., Carlinville. Emery will lead a discussion of information included in his most recently published book, Illinois in the Revolutionary War.
“There was more to the war in Illinois than most people realize,” said Emery. “Revolutionary action took place in many parts of the state, and it was a struggle for all involved. It shows how hard many Americans worked for liberty.”
A discussion of Nicholas Welch’s 1812 Land Grant and the Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, better known as Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk/Sac Indian tribes, is set for 7 p.m., Monday, June 1, in the Anderson Home parlor on the Macoupin County Historical Society grounds. Under the Land Grant program, the government set aside more than five million acres in western Illinois to compensate American war veterans with large tracts of land. Though Welch never set foot in Illinois, the granting of land to him displaced Black Hawk from his home in the area of present-day Rock Island. The facilitated discussion will focus on original historic documents, juxtaposing Welch’s land grant with Black Hawk’s experience.
Because of the smaller, more intimate venue, reservations are required. RSVP to marytinder1@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
“Relive the Mother Road: The Edwards Trace,” a collective analysis of documents and a look at contemporary research will be led by Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Anna Sielaff, Friday afternoon, June 26, during an Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee on the Macoupin County Courthouse lawn. Sielaff will discuss the 3,000-year-old Edwards Trace, used by Native Americans and early Illinois settlers, that stretched from Cahokia to Peoria. Portions of the trace run through Macoupin County, and some sections lay along the original alignment of Route 66. Imagine Rural Arts also will lead an art project in connection with how the trail was marked.
The Old Fashioned Route 66 Jubilee event runs from noon into the evening with food, musical performances, literary presentations, games, food and other activities.
The date is significant for Carlinville and Route 66 since 6/26/26 happens to be our zip code! The Jubilee offers a variety of experiences and taking a deeper look at the Edwards Trace and the Mother Road is an interesting way to explore local history on this unique date and location, Tinder noted.
Continuing on to the July 4th holiday, Macoupin County high school and college students will read the Declaration of Independence aloud in the main courtroom of the historic Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville at 10 a.m. The event also will feature a display of more than 30 historic flags provided by the George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. A facilitated discussion will follow the reading and participants will be invited to sign the “Macoupin County America @ 250 Time Capsule” book. The book will then be on display at the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Andrea Duncan, one of the organizers.
A unique and somewhat mysterious artifact from Macoupin County will be the subject of a presentation at 7 p.m., Monday, July 6, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. Sharon Breyden and husband Tommy Breyden will display and discuss the Black Hawk Tablet, uncovered in the 1940s on a farm near Hettick. The odd inscriptions on the lead medallion suggests Black Hawk and an early Macoupin settler formalized an agreement to peacefully coexist in central Illinois.
For the final program of the Carlinville Community Conversations series, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Kim Sigafus, a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, will present “We the Native People” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Historical Society’s Ruyle Genealogy Building. The focus is on Native Americans at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. The interactive program will use traditional story-telling and music to help audience members understand the groundswell changes in Native American culture and lifestyle resulting from American independence and subsequent western expansion.
For more information and details about the “History Belongs to All of Us” series, contact Carlinville Winning Communities Board members, Andrea Duncan, (217) 204-1446, or Mary Tinder, (217) 825-9699.
